Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Hello to everyone this fine afternoon! I am sitting here drinking coffee--almost wishing I had drank less coffee, almost. Also wishing very much that I could stop coughing. With all of the wind the last few daze my allergies have takin' over. I am also greatly wishing that I had a vehicle of some sort again. At least one that ran. Mine is once again mostly a paper weight. And I do not sit well at all. One plus to sitting around until work--is that my house is getting clean---wait no. That I have time to study for my classes... Somewhat. ;) That I have been doing blog posts---Well there is this current drivel and I made a post in my Exploring Arizona page late last night.

Please check them all out at http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/

This time around we visit the past town of Fairbank!

We had a new one the other night for sure! During the Easter break from work I stayed out in Saint David with my beautiful wife and kiddos. I think the extended stay went really well, except for the last night--maybe. It seems we fight when we know we are leaving each other. Anyways on the second night we were cleaning up the huge front deck off the house and my wife fell backwards and some how hit her chin and head on the way down. As usual--I was right there, and saw the whole thing like it was in slow motion, but was not able to stop or shelter her fall at all. Blood was coming out of her head---and with all of her other medical issues, we decided it best to rush her to the hospital. Even if the closest hospital was the Benson one. A major defect in the local gem picks of hospitals for sure. Long story short---she had no concussion, and needed no stitches. Head bleeds can look much worse than they really are, and bleed a lot. Looking like more blood, when you have recently died your hair red. While they were doing X rays on her chin wounds---a nurse ran into the room, and asked what vehicle I was driving. It was soon decided that our truck was on fire in the parking lot! By the time I got out to the parking lot---the fire was out, about ten people were gathered around the truck, and the back end was smoking. Luckily the fire stayed in the back end of the truck and never reached the cab or the fuel tank. Luckier still several of the nurses were past fire fighters. I did not see any of the fire, but was told that the whole back end of the truck was engulfed in flames. We also do not know how the heck the fire started. We did have small wood chips in the back end, and a large bottle of oil, because the truck engine likes to use oil. All things that would the truck go up in flames quickly--but would not start the fire. On any note, I would like to deeply thank all the quick acting people that night. This is our only working vehicle at the moment and I am not sure our insurance covers random burn outs.

The amazing place I work.

Almost two years working here!

Although we had a great time during the break from work

I do believe this same face was made behind my back a lot. ;)

A huge cock for you all to enjoy!

A few daze back I was beyond bored in Saint David and

decided to roam around the area--on foot.

I found this amazing tree.

More pictures to come of course.

So a little over a year ago we were all asked to take part in the filming of this kids movie.

Our whole family became extras and Jessica was lucky enough to gain a speaking role in the flick. It was all filmed locally in fact I have several Exploring blog posts about the

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

I have many pictures, updates, and ideas for this very page. But have not had the time to keep up with my own posts.

For many other Exploring trips and lots of other pictures of mine, please check out my longest running blog page at http://exarizonagobensonbobcats.blogspot.com/

So many trails So little time!

On this fine day our youngest and I decided to venture just down the road to the past town of Fairbanks. I would like to consider it a ghost town. There are twelve such towns in the surrounding area. This one is very near The San Pedro House just out of Sierra Vista. From the wee town of Saint David head towards Tombstone. At the boarder patrol station, take a right. A short drive leads you to the historic town--found on your right. Very well maintained trails can be found through the entire area. I have posted about the San Pedro House several times before. This very sunny day just happened to be on Easter. A great day to Explore with out seeing to many people on the trails. Surprisingly the one room school house/museum was open. I have been to many a ghost town in my travels and was disappointed on how state park like this one was. Most of the buildings were roped off and closed to the public. But it was still a neat early afternoon adventure, while waiting for the big Easter feast to finish cooking.

This map and informational sign is just out of the main parking lot.

One can also drive down into the historic town, but what is the adventure in that?

As in most of the state parks and city parks for that matter,

the trails are kept amazingly well maintained and clean.

As I mentioned I was a little put out that most of the buildings were blocked off and

closed for sight seeing. I have many posts on this very sight of buildings across the country

that offered more access and adventure. But this was still a neat day trip for sure.

If you look really closely you can just make out our youngest

peeking through the back wall!

Although no human residents still reside here,at least in the day time.

Snakes appear to love the country side.

Luckily we saw no snakes and no ghosts on this day.

One roomed school house turned museum.

Surprisingly open for business on this Easter Sunday.

Time for a quick break and to study the maps we got

at the one room museum.

Just across from the main town sight

many more trails and one lone building not roped off from entering.

Sadly the train depot no longer rests on this town sight.

From the pictures it looked like an amazing building.

I have to say I have used a few of these---recently in fact.

There is one --the only restroom --besides standing behind trees

at my uncles cabin deep in the woods in Wyoming.

Time to move on.

About a half mile down the trail is the cemetery sight.

This one rests on a hill so gives a great view of the whole country side.

If you continue on the main loop trail

Large mill buildings still remain.

Not for us on this day.

I was surprised to view a plot marker from 1995 in this cemetery.

Old cemeteries always fascinate me on many levels.

If I were to return here to view the mills and such

I would go earlier in the day for sure.

We did not hit the trails until about one in the afternoon.

It is only spring time, but also the desert--so it was already very warm by this time.

Please also note MANY many trails are in this area.

Sierra Vista and Tombstone are just down the road. And

no matter what way you take to go home you must pass through a boarder patrol check point to do so.

FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016

Friday, March 18, 2016

**Friday flashback on our four year anivesary to our mini honeymoon in Seattle and one of our best Exploring trips so far. Soon I do believe that a renewal of our vows in Viva Las Vegas is in order---and of course there will be lots of pictures of all that jazz. This comes from yet another blog sight of mine---one that is also picture filled and amazing, but has kind of been abandoned, since we moved away from Washington state. http://exploreb-ham.blogspot.com/ I realize this post has nothing to do with amazing Arizona---but have noticed a ton of Arizona residents have been and or lived in Washington-so hopefully you find this page interesting also. AND it is my page---I do what I want! ;) Enjoy!

**Writers note: This originally appeared in my other blog on April 16th. Almost a month after we got married. It is now my most read blog post, with almost 200 views! Seattle is obviously beyond Bellingham but I had to share about the trip. I always enjoy the town. We had a great time and splurged a little, because we had just gotten married. In case you have not gotten that memo! Anyways, this picture filled blog includes pictures her and I took. Obviously the pictures I am in, she took. April takes great pictures, and I credit her for that. Please check out my other blog series http://wyomingjack.blogspot.com

April hit town a little later in the afternoon, as she was on Greyhound bus. I have knocked the service before, but if you book early enough, you can ride from Bellingham to Seattle for only $10.00! With current gas prices this is a deal and a half! I arrived in town earlier and had some time to roam around near downtown of the great city and try to take some great pictures. I got some pictures, not sure about great. Having no vehicle, I enjoy how easily you can get to many star attractions quickly by foot.

I always enjoy an old building. This is fire station #2 downtown. Parks and water fountains can be found all over the city. Here is a few shots of the Space Needle from across town. We did not have time to explore around there this trip. But you can easily spend hours enjoying that part of town. And than take a bus or the tram back to your motel if you find you have walked around a little to much. Or are soaked from the never to distant rain.

Umbrella statue is very fitting. Later in the day, we actually enjoyed full on sunshine. A rare but very welcome sight on any March day!

Space Needle at night admits an almost spooky another worldly glow.

Walk through fountain also downtown.

I got soaked taking this picture, but think it was well worth it?

We ended up staying in a motel way out by the airport. But soon learned that

Seattle is amazingly easy to get around. We payed a little more to have a motel with a pool and hot tub. Both very enjoyable after walking all over the city.

The motel also offered an extremely nice morning breakfast. So many places offer cereal and some toast and call it continental. Here we enjoyed a huge meal with make your own waffles even!

Some sunset shots from behind our motel.

I was in town about ten minuets and had already passed eight Starbucks.

Coffee joints seem to multiply as you walk around the city. And I found it entertaining to call out each time I spotted another Starbucks. You can sit in one, at a four way corner and see three more S Bucks it seems. Soon the only place to open new stores will be inside the restrooms of current stores. How awkward would that conversation with the bathroom attendant/barriesta be? Obviously in the Great North West there are better coffee joints abound to stop at, in fact I am enjoying on at this moment. But Star Bucks has so many locations, I find myself in one to much of the time it seems.

Speaking of that the very first Star Bucks ever is in Seattle.And yes they even let fanatics like myself in. If you can survive the line, you can get a good cup of joe and some nice pictures at the same time. This will be the only coffee shop you go to that needs a greeter, line director at the door. I had wished my E Bay purchase had not gotten lost in the mail, as it seems. Because the S Bucks cap on my head, would make me either look like a worker or a true fanatic. My wife played the part of the crazed tourist, and took shots of me inside, overly happy. Than she took some coffee to go.

Ordering time "Uh... I want Coffee!" I said to the fine barestis.

"MMMmmmmmm coffee!" This also shares were I was in the last mystery location picture. If you are one of the few that actually reads my blogs.

Across from coffee you can enter the Public Market. With vendors of every type you can spend lots of time roaming and warming up.

Vendors of every type show case there wares. And of course you can find some of the freshest seafood around. Watch out for flying fish, as your purchase is flung out of the ice, and packaged for you.

Some new friends we made at the market:

I think big foot has morning wood. Shhhh! Don't tell.

Outside the market and down a long alley you can witness the gum wall! This goes on for at least 20 feet. And is pieces and pieces of used gum. Also take some time to enjoy the graffiti. This is a shot my wife took, of one of the koolest pictures down there.

It says "Thats how we roll" just under this picture.

We soon learned that you could take the Sounder tram for $5.00 all day. This stops at all of the big attractions across the city. And when we got sore feet, we would ride for awhile. Each stop has some great art work nearby.

The city bus also can get you around town fast. The very first one we rode was an "accordion" bus were two pieces are stuck together, to make it longer and go around corners better. Sitting in the accordion was not as much fun as I would have thought. And kind of made me sick from the motion. We also learned that sitting the way the tram was traveling, kept you from getting sick, and made it far easier to take pictures and determine were your next stop was.

China Town

Perhaps one of the strangest art at any of the tram stops. Even after reading the information near this one, I am still not sure about the meaning. I think it is just to deep for me! But apparently this boot is very well educated.

And perhaps the most fitting art we saw. Maybe because it never rains in Washington!

After several more coffee's we were headed to the water front. But in the way was about two city blocks worth of stairs. A even greater joy when heading back up to our bus that night. Most of the town seems to be up hill, somehow. Much time can also be spent down here. Enjoying the shops and sights. It was very sunny by the time we mastard all of the steps. So people were out in full force.

We had a few hours to kill and ended up in a small arcade on one of the piers. Were we of course won some very snazzy prizes with all out tickets. I got a bracelet that we later found out was a very rare blue gold. *It was actually blue plastic.

And than it was time for one of the best parts of our trip. We had booked Mystery dinner cruise. Several amazing hours floating around the bay. Enjoying the company, sights, food, beverages, and of course trying to solve the mystery before anyone else dies.

I have to admit this was beyond kool. I soon learned I do not have sea legs at all.

But a beverage or three, seems to help with this. The dessert was amazing. Although the buffet style Salmon left a lot to be desired.

This mystery focused on the sad and sudden murder of Uncle Sean. And an increasingly happy bunch of dinners rose there glasses in a toast every time his name was mentioned. Actors roamed the crowd asking questions and engaging everyone. Several people from the crowd were named as key suspects. But the killer or killers, could be anyone on the boat. Suspects were "set up" ahead of time, by there friends on the cruise. You could also roam the boat the entire time.

Several of the actors. The detective has the microphone.

At one point, they needed audience members to dance up front. My wife knows that when I dance, someone calls an ambulance. Because they think I am having a seizure. Knowing this, she was really trying to get me on stage. This backfired quickly, when an actor decided she should be the one on stage.

And the plot thickens...

In the end---We all could guess who the killers were and explain our thoughts on why they did it. I won a prize of mini key chain handcuffs for the most disturbing plot line. And not one but three suspects were placed in full sized hand cuffs.

As I said, this was beyond kool. And well worth the price. If you would like to see more pictures or learn about how to take a similar cruise, contact me any time.

Notice the blue gold on my arm I mentioned before in this blog.

The entire trip was a joy. And some much needed R & R! I would also like to thank Royal Agrosy Cruise line and Events On The Edge for an amazing cruise night. We also had time to scout out some great places to take the kiddos during a family trip. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. And as always....